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Morus alba L. Leaves (WML) Modulate Sweet (TAS1R) and Bitter (TAS2R) Taste in the Studies on Human Receptors – A New Perspective on the Utilization of White Mulberry Leaves in Food Production?
AbstractFrom the nutritional perspective, the main direction of the utilization of white mulberry (Morus alba L.) parts so far has been to produce dietary supplements or functional foods for individuals with diabetes or over-weight. Its leaves are widely known as a valuable source of bioactive compounds responsible for its antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, both in animals and humans. The authors found that processed leaves can also be investigated as potential bitter and/or sweet taste modulators—an important property of new functional foods. The study aimed to validate the inhibitory effect of Morus alba L. on the TAS2R3 and TAS2R13 bitter taste and TSA1R2/TSA1R3 receptors and determine the changes that the conditioning process caused in such receptors. The effect on the receptors was evaluated in specially transfected HEK293T cells, and the inhibition ratio was measured using the calcium release test. Moreover, the stability of phenolics in the simulated intestinal in vitro digestion process was determined. Results showed that the Morus alba leaf extracts were rich in gallic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids together with rutin and quercetin 3-(6-malonyl)-glucoside, while the conditioning process positively affected their amount. Most identified phenolics were reduced during in vitro digestion. In the taste receptors test, it was found that the phytochemicals from conditioned Morus alba leaf extract enhanced sweet taste, together with a reduction of bitter taste receptor activity in some cases. To conclude, the study has found that Morus alba, especially when conditioned for 4 h, seems to be a valuable modulator of taste, which should be considered in future research as a crucial reason for its new utilization.
The antioxidant properties of selected varieties of pumpkin fortified with Iodine in the form of potassium Iodide and potassium iodate
This study aimed to investigate the use of selected pumpkin varieties as carriers of potassium iodide (KI) and potassium iodate (KIO3) at different concentrations (2.3, 0.23, and 0.023 mg/100 g). It was hypothesized that the concentrations and form of iodine fortification in pumpkins affect the antioxidant activity of pumpkins. The results showed a high recovery of the introduced iodine in all pumpkin varieties after drying, as well as high iodine stability during storage, especially for KIO3. However, statistical analysis confirmed a relationship between the forms and concentration of iodine and the ABTS cation radical and the DPPH radical test results. In the systems with iodine concentration at 0.023 and 0.23 mg/100 g, the antioxidant activity did not change. However, for all pumpkin varieties fortified with a KIO3 concentration at 3.9 mg/100 g (2.3 mg/100 g of iodine), a statistically significant decrease in free-radical scavenging was confirmed. Therefore, for maximum effectiveness in pumpkin’s free-radical scavenging indices, it is suggested to introduce iodine in the form of KI and KIO3, but in controlled concentrations. However, KIO3 should be added at a maximum amount of 0.39 mg/100 g.
How Does In Vitro Digestion Change the Amount of Phenolics in Morus alba L. Leaf? Analysis of Preparations and Infusions
The application of Morus alba L. in traditional oriental medicine and cuisine has resulted in numerous studies on its health-promoting effects. However, if the process is not monitored by the manufacturers, the processing of the leaves alters the obtained health-promoting properties and results in different health qualities in the final composition of dietary supplements. This article aims to analyze changes (using the HPLC/DAD method) in the proposed conditioned mulberry leaves in terms of key compounds (phenolic acids and flavonols) responsible for antioxidant activity after being digested in in vitro conditions. The analyzed material was leaves of white mulberry (Morus alba L.) cv. Żółwińska wielkolistna, conditioned (1–4 h) and non-conditioned. The conditioning process of mulberry proposed here, e.g., for industry production, resulted in variable transformations of polyphenols during in vitro digestion. For many polyphenols, especially those shown in the highest amounts, significant correlations were found between their content and conditioning, as well as the stage of digestion. In the case of mulberry infusions, the amounts of individual polyphenols were several times lower than in the preparations, which was due to the degree of dilution. Their amounts tended to decrease in the course of digestion. Taking this into account, it seems justified to continue research on the in vivo bioavailability of bioactive components from conditioned Morus alba L. leaves.
Technological processing of Phaseolus vulgaris and Morus alba leaves to create a new nutritional food product for individuals with diabetes
Sposób wytwarzania chleba mieszanego z leżakowanymi liśćmi morwy białej, w szczególności dla diabetyków
Allium ursinum as a centuries-old medicinal plant. Short review of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of the rare garlic species
Some Common Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Activity, Known and Available in Europe (A Mini-Review)
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affected 9.3% of adults worldwide in 2019. Its co-occurrence is suspected to increase mortality from COVID-19. The treatment of diabetes is mainly based on the long-term use of pharmacological agents, often expensive and causing unpleasant side effects. There is an alarming increase in the number of pharmaceuticals taken in Europe. The aim of this paper is to concisely collect information concerning the few antidiabetic or hypoglycaemic raw plant materials that are present in the consciousness of Europeans and relatively easily accessible to them on the market and sometimes even grown on European plantations. The following raw materials are discussed in this mini-review: Morus alba L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum J.Presl, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., and Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer in terms of scientifically tested antidiabetic activity and the presence of characteristic biologically active compounds and their specific properties, including antioxidant properties. The characteristics of these raw materials are based on in vitro as well as in vivo studies: on animals and in clinical studies. In addition, for each plant, the possibility to use certain morphological elements in the light of EFSA legislation is given.
Influence of Heat Treatment Prior to Fortification on Goitrogenic Compounds, Iodine Stability and Antioxidant Activity in Cauliflower
Iodine deficiency remains a global public health concern. Preliminary studies confirmed that cauliflower can serve as a carrier for iodine salts. However, the influence of its endogenous goitrogenic compounds (phenolic compounds and glucosinolates) on iodine utilisation is not fully understood. This study aimed to assess the potential for enhancing cauliflower’s effectiveness as an iodine carrier through various thermal pre-treatment methods, and to examine how these methods, along with the plant’s endogenous goitrogens, affect iodine stability. Cauliflower was cooked by steaming or boiling (covered or uncovered) and fortified with KI or KIO3. Iodine content, selected phenolic compounds (sinigrin, progoitrin, glucobrassicin, gluconapin, indole-3-carbinol) and antioxidant activity (ABTS●+, DPPH●) were analysed immediately after fortification and after 90 days of storage at 4, 21, or 40 °C under controlled humidity and darkness. The results showed that both the heat-treatment method and storage temperature significantly affected iodine retention and were associated with changes in goitrogenic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Cauliflower demonstrated favourable stability as a carrier of iodine, although phytochemical composition influenced fortification outcomes. These findings suggest that the initial heat treatment of cauliflower significantly affects its effectiveness as a matrix for iodine fortification, likely due to differences in the content of goitrogenic compounds.
The Application of Mulberry Elements into a Novel Form of Easy-to-Prepare Dried Smoothie
The European market offers a variety of functional foods targeted at prediabetic and diabetic patients, with different approaches to reducing postprandial glucose levels. The utilization of white and black mulberry in new products could be an area of interest to many conscious consumers. The study aimed to design a novel form (dried) of easy-to-prepare product by applying nutritious mulberry in various proportions and creating an aesthetically appealing smoothie product with a distinctive taste profile. Such an easy-to-prepare form of smoothie was obtained by utilizing the freeze-drying process, while typical market smoothies are liquid. Sensory evaluations of the fresh, dried, and reconstructed smoothies and their basic characteristics were conducted. Moreover, antiradical tests (with ABTS+• and DPPH•), the phenolic compound profile (HPLC/PDA), and the L*a*b profile were analyzed. The results of the sensory evaluation tests were divided into two groups: Polish and foreign panelists. It was observed that mulberry-licorice drop-based smoothies were preferred fresh. Yet dried and reconstituted capsule-based smoothies were favored overall. Generally, both Polish and foreign panelists preferred lower concentrations of mulberry and licorice extracts (DB) in fresh smoothies, while in dried or reconstructed smoothie form, panelists scored higher (DC) and lower (DB) concentrations quite similarly (favored both concentrations). From the group of identified phenolic compounds, cinnamic acid derivates dominated all analyzed smoothies. Many analyzed types of flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, kaempferol) and naringenin were found in the smoothies. Some differences were noted in the antiradical tests but were only statistically significant for DPPH• scavenging activity, which was higher for the DB1, DB2, and DC1 samples. Generally, even higher addition of licorice and mulberry did not negatively affect panelists’ ratings and the analyzed activities.
Allium ursinum as a Centuries-old Medicinal Plant. Short Review of Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties of the Rare Garlic Species
AbstractWild garlic (Allium ursinum) is a wild plant growing in Middle and Eastern Europe that has been traditionally applied in local cuisine and herbal medicine practices. The leaves of the plant contain numerous bioactive compounds, i.e., flavonols, flavanols, phenolic acids, and thiopolysulfides. The aim of the study is to present the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of this plant. The leaves of Allium ursinum possess strong antioxidant activity, which varies depending on extractant use and plant origin. The plant has limited capacity for ferric ion reduction in a FRAP test, as well. The previous studies showed that the high content of phenolic compounds was prevalently responsible for the high antiradical capacity. On the other hand, the thiopolysulfides present in the plant are responsible for its anti-inflammatory effect, observed as inhibition of TNF-α and interleukins, and as a bactericidal effect against skin pathogenic microflora. Wild garlic has a negative effect on cancer cell line viability, while it enhances the viability of non-cancerogenic tissue cells. All these effects clearly show that wild garlic is an interesting and potent raw material that should be more often applied in todayʼs functional foods, as well as a novel additive for dietary supplements, herbal remedies, or materials with topical anti-bacterial action.